Summer 2013
Upcoming Gatherings pg. 2-3
one year of
Adoption Guarantee pg. 8
Sign Up to receive
the newsletter electronically! (directions on inside cover)
First Impressions What to expect during the first few days with your new pet pg. 11
Cleopatra finds her special
Forever Home pg. 6
the scoop The less we spend on printing the more we can put toward helping this guy!
Family Gatherings Madison Area Builders Association (MABA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Bark & Wine 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Madison Mallards: Community Connection Night. . . . . . . . . . 3
Family Scrapbook Look Both Ways Before Crossing . . . . . . . . 4 Isabell Finds Her Forever Home. . . . . . . . . 5 Shout It Out! We Are Adoption Guarantee. . . . . . . . . . . 8
Family Care Understanding Stress Signals. . . . 10 Scooping the Poop. . . . . . . . . . 12 Importance of Planning for Pets . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sign up to view your newsletter electronically by emailing us at:
kobrien@giveshelter.org subject line Family Tails message Name and Current Address
We have a simple mission at Dane County Humane Society: helping people help animals. We have created a family that consists of you, our staff, volunteers, adopters, members, donors and community supporters. Together, our family is saving animals AND saving people. Family Tails is the newsletter that keeps us in touch with our Dane County Humane Society family. Browse through these pages to catch up on recent and upcoming community family gatherings, notable scrapbook moments, and family pet care tips.
Family Gatherings We are out in the community! Whether it’s hosting a singles night for animal lovers or handing out t-shirts and dog bandanas to runners at a Dog Jog, we value our relationship with fellow Madisonians. Participating in community events not only raises donations, but to provides and opportunity to educate and learn from the public. We love sharing all of the wonderful things happening at the shelter! We are proud of our accomplishments and want to share our goals and successes.
Lawnbott
<< Rewind Madison Area Builders Association (MABA)
We were the featured non-profit organization at the 2013 Madison Area Builders Association Home Builders event. With over 11,000 people attending, we were able to raise nearly $2,000 by selling a chance to win a Lawbott, robotic lawnmower!
Spring Vendor Fair
Like many organizations, we are fortunate to have community members fundraise for us. We have named our incredible team of fundraisers, Team Bark, and Teri Klawitter is a Team Bark star! She organizes two events annually focusing on selling local crafts to the community; 20% of sales go directly toward helping homeless animals.
Garage Sale One Barrel Brewing Company
This local establishment is new to town, but has been generously collecting donations for us over the past six months! Patrons were encouraged to throw their donation up to the ceiling by using a quarter and a tack. What a creative way to help raise money for the homeless animals!
Dane County Humane Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Four Lakes Wildlife Center Annual Garage Sale
We start collecting gently used items at our main shelter for a month leading up to the garage sale. 100% of the proceeds benefit our Four Lakes Wildlife Center. The sale this year brought in over $5,000 for our wildlife rehabilitation center!
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Fast Forward >> Madison Mallards: Bark in the Park!
Bark & Wine 2013
Come visit us at Bark in the Park at The Duck Pond on August 1st. Enjoy watching the game with your BFF (best furry friend). Help us achieve our goal of selling out the park! Two dollars per ticket goes directly to the shelter. Reserve your ticket before July 17th; go to www.mallardsgroups.com and enter â&#x20AC;&#x153;humaneâ&#x20AC;? as the group password. See you at the Pond!
Bark & Wine sold out again this year! Guests enjoyed an enchanting evening of live entertainment, delightful appetizers, desserts and, of course, wine. Our live and silent auctions featured items such as feeding giraffes at the zoo and a behind-the-scenes tour at a Brewers game. Guests explored, mingled, and met our friendly furry ambassadors! Through the support of our community, we raised over $55,000 during this event.
Pyle Center Rooftop Terrace Third Thursday Summer Series
On June 20th, we will be on the Pyle Center Rooftop during the Thursday Summer Series. Enjoy the view, complimentary appetizers, live entertainment, and a cash bar. Say hello to us and our canine companions while learning about the lifesaving programs we offer.
Unleashed & Uncorked
Our 2nd annual Unleashed & Uncorked, at the beautiful Lussier Family Heritage Center, is coming soon! Guests will enjoy live music, an incredible array of fine wines, and the opportunity to purchase local artwork to support homeless animals. And, there will be plenty of adorable animals to meet! Save the date for September 27, 2013, as this event will surely sell out again!
Bark & Wine
Unleashed & Uncorked
Bark & Wine 3
Family Scrapbook
Brighter Smiles by Jan Viney
It is official! We have opened the doors to our lovely new dental suite thanks to the generous memorial gifts from the family and friends of Jenna Roark. Increased demand and the limited available work space had created a back log for dental procedures. Due to these constraints, we sometimes worked with a private veterinary clinic to help relieve the backlog, but this came at a financial price.
Look Both Ways Before Crossing by Brooke Lewis
Today, we have a designated area for dental procedures that even includes an additional procedure table. Having an area reserved for dental work has increased procedural capacity in the existing clinic as well. It has also allowed two teams to work on special procedures, dentals, or surgeries at the same time. Another bonus? Volunteer veterinarians and technicians can now donate their time and services at their convenience rather than at the availability of our clinic, which was unpredictable in the past.
In March of 2012, a Blanding’s turtle was hit by a car while attempting to cross a highway. He suffered several fractures on his plastron (shell on his belly) and was brought to our Four Lakes Wildlife Center for help. Blanding’s turtles find their homes in wetlands, including marshes, bays of lakes, wet meadows, and slow moving streams. They often move from wetland to wetland during their active season; hence, our visitor, trying to cross a busy highway. These turtles have been on the threatened species list for quite some time because more and more wetland habitats are being drained for development.
Did You Know? The average dental cleaning takes 30 mins for a cat and 60 mins for a dog
Our animal medical service team was unable to address the complexity of the turtle’s injuries. The UW – Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital was able to step in and use their more advanced plating techniques and equipment to repair the fracture. Turtles heal very slowly, and in order for him to continue to heal, we needed to keep him from going into a state of hibernation. We provided a sustaining diet, warmth, UV light, and room to swim and bask during his stay.
Having our own dental suite saves us approximately $150 for each shelter animal’s dental cleaning A multiple tooth extraction requires 2-3 hours per animal Having our own dental suite saves us between $400 - 1,400 for each shelter animal in need of a dental extraction
A little over a year later, our Blanding’s turtle made a full recovery and has been released into the same water system he originated from, but away from the highway! Check out his release video on Four Lakes Wildlife Center’s Facebook page. 4
Isabell Finds Match by Nadia Bidwell
2012 was a tough year for DJ Renehart. He lost both of his dogs: a 13-year-old Doberman to a heart attack and a 12-year-old boxer who had begun to have seizures. DJ was lonely without a canine companion to keep him company. A friend of his watched channel 3’s weekly pet segment, “Pet-Entially Yours,” where our Public Relations Coordinator, Gayle Viney, showcases an animal available for adoption. This particular segment featured Isabel, a six-year-old boxer who had been surrendered. Knowing of DJ’s fondness for boxers, his friend told him about Isabel, a sweetheart who knew “sit” and “down,” and wanted to be the only dog in a loving home. DJ jumped at the chance to meet her;
that afternoon, he was waiting at our door before we opened at 3:00. “I just love boxers,” he said, “They are happy, loyal dogs.” DJ met Isabell and noticed, “She was a little skittish. But we just had to spend a little time together.” Isabel now spends her days running around DJ’s acre and a half home as well as enjoying raw meat treats from Mounds. She loves her toys; a Frisbee is her favorite. DJ says Isabel has relaxed and settled wonderfully into his home. “She just needed a good home that was hers. She’s turned out to be an outstanding dog. We do everything together. She makes me want to come home.”
Cleopatra finds her special
Forever Home by Michelle Livanos
When Cleopatra arrived at our shelter in November, her clumsiness was attributed to her young age. But it soon became evident to our vets that there was more to her clumsiness than just being a puppy. After thorough examinations, they realized her tendency to bump into things was due to neurological issues. Cleopatra would need a special home, and the search began to find the sweet dog, whose cheerful and fun loving nature made her a staff and volunteer favorite, her forever home. Meanwhile, Brad and Britt were also searching for a canine companion for their dog, Captain, whom they had adopted almost a year ago from our shelter. They had been combing our website daily – until Cleopatra’s profile caught their eye. However, they hesitated at the news of Cleopatra’s medical issues. Seeing Gayle Viney, our Public Relations Coordinator, appeared on local television with Cleopatra, they learned Cleopatra loved to play with toys, tumble with other dogs, and was learning good manners. They also learned that her severe neurological problems would most likely shorten her life. Gayle’s stressed the need for Cleopatra to have “Adopters who have the courage to open their hearts to her, the compassion to care for her for as long as she retains her comfort and dignity, and the wisdom to say good-bye when the time is right.”
Cleopatra’s 1st Birthday! After seeing Cleopatra on TV, Brad and Britt decided to take the leap and meet Cleopatra. It was love at first sight for both people and dog. Cleopatra, upon meeting Brad for the first time, immediately curled up in his lap. “It was all over at that point,” said Brad. The next step was for Cleopatra and Captain to meet. With lots of bows and bouncy play, the two scampered together like old friends. It was final—Cleopatra was going to her new home! Staff and volunteers gathered for an emotional good-bye to Cleopatra, who had overcome the odds to find a new family. Dane County Humane Society is grateful to be part of a community that embraces adoption, and especially to those who reach out to animals that need them the most.
Cleopatra & Captain 7
Family Scrapbook
However, during our behavior assessment we noticed that Cora did not like to share, growling and biting when we attempted to take away her bowl of food. This is called resource guarding.
Shout it Out! We are Adoption Guarantee
Resource guarding is fairly common in dogs. Dogs may guard both food and non-food objects, space and even their owners. To date, the verdict is still out on whether resource guarding is a product of nature, nurture, or a combination of the two. We do know that resource guarding dogs do not feel good when someone approaches them while they are in possession of a valued resource.
by Jo Withers
In July 2008, we made a commitment to become “adoption guarantee” for dogs and cats by the summer of 2012. To accomplish this goal, all healthy animals and those with treatable medical or behavioral conditions must be placed into new homes. Several years ago we achieved our adoption guarantee for dogs, and as of April 2012, we are adoption guarantee for cats as well.
This is where our behavior modification volunteers, interns and staff go to work. Using a process called desensitization and counterconditioning, our team teaches dogs that when a person approaches them while they are in possession of a valued item, something awesome happens. Once Cora learned that people approaching her food bowl equaled extra yummy treats, she was no longer anxious.
It has taken a whole community to meet these goals. Together we have transferred more than 700 animals between our shelters to place each feline in the best area to help them find homes. We have implemented several new feeding protocols and behavior modification programs for both dogs and cats. These programs have helped decrease the incidence of disease in both populations, as the animals’ stress levels have decreased. With the new canine behavior modification program, staff and volunteers have been able to rehabilitate many dogs that may not have been adopted due to behavior issues. We work with more than 80 rescues and shelters throughout Wisconsin and the United States including several local organizations: Dane County Friends of Ferals, Angel’s Wish, and Friends of Noah. Our partnership with these local groups, and a grant from Maddie’s Fund, enabled us to find new homes for 293 animals during our Free Pet Adoption Days on June 1-2.
Cora Then it was time for Cora’s final exam. We repeated the food bowl component of Cora’s behavior assessment. What a difference! Cora wagged her tail when we approached her and happily let us put our hand right in her food bowl while she was eating. Cora was ready for adoption. She waited just a few more short weeks until a family came to DCHS, fell in love and took her home. Congratulations Cora!
Successful Canine Behavior Training by Bridget Pieper
When we first meet Cora in December, the stray female pit bull terrier mix was sweet and friendly with every person and dog she met. We were excited to help her find a new home.
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Two of our volunteers, Chad Millar and Lisa Vinney will be leaving us soon. Here is Chad’s letter.
Dear DCHS family, I do not think we can overstate how much we will miss all of you and especially the dogs. As huge animal lovers/advocates, these past four years with you has filled our lives with so much passion and purpose that it has truly changed our lives forever. Ironically, I was not even a fan of dogs prior to starting. The main reason I started volunteering was more or less to impress Lisa. But after just a month or two of spending time with all these amazing dogs, I was hooked! We just wanted to thank EACH of you for making our experience at DCHS so remarkable! We have so many memories that we will take with us, both figuratively and literally. For the past 4 years, we have assembled a “Wall of Fame” of some of our favorite pitties that have impacted our lives… good thing we’re moving into a bigger place, because the list keeps growing.
Shiloh’s Special Home by Katelyn O’Brien
Shiloh came to us as a young mom with a litter of eight day old kittens. Her kittens found their forever homes quickly, but Shiloh tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV makes cats more vulnerable to other illnesses and shortens their life expectancy. Since FIV can be passed from one cat to another, FIV-positive cats need special homes. She would need to be in a home where she was the only cat, or with another FIV-positive cat.
From here on out, dogs will always be a big part of our lives, one way or another. Lisa and I joke all the time that if our current professions don’t pan out, that we’ll just open up our own Pit Bull rescue and live happily ever after. Once in Bloomington, Lisa and I will proudly be adopting our first pittie and we plan to come back to DCHS to do so! We cannot wait to meet that dog that will ultimately be rescuing us, instead of the other way around.
Most shelters euthanize cats that are FIV-positive; we are adoption guaranteed. We will find forever homes for all healthy or treatable cats and dogs. Medical or behavioral conditions that can be treated or managed long-term are considered treatable or manageable. In Shiloh’s case, her disease is manageable; it just takes a special family to tend to her needs.
Thanks again, for all you have done for us, and all that you do for these wonderful dogs (and other animals) every day. We are REALLY, really, really going to miss you.
During Shiloh’s stay, a couple came in specifically looking for a companion for their FIV-positive cat. They were thrilled to discover that we were giving FIV-positive cats a chance at finding homes. Without hesitation, they adopted Shiloh. They are now the proud parents of two FIV-positive cats who will be able to live full lives with lots of cuddles, play time and love.
Sincerely,
Chad Millar & Lisa Vinney
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Family Care
Understanding Stress Signals by Janna Bronkhorst
Summer is here and back yards are growing green; dogs, friends, and family gather for parties and celebrations and everyone is having lots of fun in the sun! But is your dog truly enjoying it, or are they overwhelmed by all the activity? Observe them as they navigate through the party of people. Are they trying to communicate uneasiness, anxiety, or stress? Are they yawning, panting, pacing, and actively moving away. You may associate yawning with being tired or panting as being hot or thirsty. However, these can actually be signs of stress. Experiencing some stress is natural, but there are ways to reduce it. First, it is helpful to consider what your dog is comfortable with and uncomfortable with. Do your best not to force your dogs into a situation that causes them discomfort. Make sure they have an escape route. Would they prefer to be inside and relaxing instead of attending the party? Give your dog the option to RSVP; offer them the chance to join in on the fun, but allow them to decline if they choose to.
If your dogs are kept separate from your guests, offer them things to keep them busy and content: for example, a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. It can also be helpful to reduce their energy level ahead of time by taking them for a nice long walk before guests start to show up. If there are children present, help them interact politely with your dog, and always keep interactions supervised. Watch for your dogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; signals telling you that they are uncomfortable. If your dog shows stress signals, remove them from the situation so nothing unfortunate happens. Keep in mind dogs may do well for several hours while socializing, but just like people, they might reach their limits. Check in with your dogs periodically to make sure they are doing well; if they start to show stress, it is time for a break. Respecting your dogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comfort level and recognizing their stress signals will help your dogs be happier as well as be a part of your summer happenings! 10
First Impressions by Betsy Halat
Make the transition from the shelter to a home as easy as possible for your new pet.
Dogs Cats
Dog proof your house! Pick up any items the
Set up your cat’s very own room for the first night! Giving the cat a small, quiet space with
can help your dog to make good choices. Have items
their litterbox, food, water and toys allows them to gradually absorb their new environment. It also allows them to create a “safe space” that smells familiar.
Make sure your house is cat-proofed!
dog may chew on and make sure the garbage is out of reach. Using baby gates to partition off certain areas you want your dog to play with and chew accessible so they know what is theirs.
Be ready to teach your dog the rules of the house from the beginning! While you may be tempted to give the dog lots of freedom initially
Tuck away cords, make sure windows are closed
to ensure they love their new life with you, this only
tightly and window screens are not damaged, and
makes things more confusing when you finally have to
remove plants that may be poisonous to animals.
give them boundaries that they did not have from the
Offer appropriate scratching materials to teach them
beginning. Dogs like structure.
which objects they can get their paws on.
Learn what their body language is trying to say! Be aware of the different ear positioning,
Keep the activity level of your home to a minimum during the first few days! It's natural to want to share this furry bundle of joy
body postures and different types of meows that can
with everyone, but all that excitement can sometimes
help you formulate a good line of communication
be overwhelming. Limit visitors to a couple at a time.
with your new kitty.
Introduce other animals to your new pet slowly! If you have other cats or dogs in your home,
Sign up for doggie classes right away! Training classes offer a unique experience that allows you and your dog to meet new people and dogs in a
start by keeping the new cat in a special room while
nice controlled setting. It also helps to formulate a
the other animals have the rest of the home. This
strong bond between you and your new dog.
way, the pets can sniff under the door and slowly begin to learn about one another’s scent without having to be face-to-face. 11
Family Care
Scooping the Poop by Cat Care Clinic
The average cat uses a litter box 3 times a day and likes it to be clean. Imagine using a toilet that has seen 2 or 3 uses without flushing! Cats are as fastidious as humans. Here are some tips to keep your cats happy with their litter boxes: Most cats prefer a litter box that is 1.5 times the length of their bodies and uncovered. This allows them to dig, find the most comfortable position, and cover up after themselves. Without this room, you may see cats hanging their bottoms over the edge or going next to the box. Most commercial litter boxes are too small for cats. Sweater storage boxes, small dog litter boxes (up to 35 lbs) and cement mixing pans all give the cat enough room to maneuver. Litter boxes should be scooped at least once daily. Most cats prefer a fine-grained, unscented litter with a litter depth of about 1.5 inches. If you use clumping litter, once a month change out the litter completely and wash the box. If your cat prefers clay litter, the litter should be changed every 2-3 days and the box cleaned once a month. Cats usually stand on the edge of the box if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the litter (or they may not use the box at all!). The ideal number of litter boxes is 1 per cat, plus one more. Litter boxes should be placed in at least 2 different locations in the house, in areas that are quiet, private, and easily accessible. Eliminating outside the box often signals an underlying medical condition. The earlier the problem is corrected, the better the chance for your cat to return to using the litter box. Call a veterinarian to schedule an appointment if you notice this change.
Microchips: Use It or Lose It by Jessica Christianson
The American Humane Association estimates that over 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the U.S. every year. To increase your chances of being reunited with your pet, keep several recent close-up color photos of your pet, fit them with visible identification (such as a collar with tags), and have them microchipped and registered with current contact information. A microchip is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) implant with no internal power source, about the size of a grain of rice. When a scanner passes over the chip, the chip transmits the data to the scanner. Animals are not affected physically or behaviorally by the presence of the microchip in their bodies. The implant location is typically below the skin at the back of the neck between the shoulder blades. The biggest reason microchips fail is because owners do not keep the information registered to the microchip up to date. We offer microchips on a walk-in basis during open hours at our main shelter on Voges Road. Walk in microchips are $30 plus tax for dogs and $15 plus tax for cats.
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Helping Wildlife by Brooke Lewis
We love to help animals in need. But, sometimes it is hard to know when wildlife babies need our help. Here is what you should know about young wildlife:
All wild babies are much better off growing up with their own parents. We may be able to feed
them and help them grow, but we are not able to teach them some of the important skills they would learn from their parents. Babies raised in rehabilitation have a harder time adjusting when released.
Wild parents will NOT reject their babies because you touched them.
This is one of the biggest wildlife myths. You can safely put baby animals back in their nest without fear that a mother will reject them.
If you find a possibly orphaned baby, please call us before intervening, 608-838-0413 ext. 151. Many species leave their babies unattended
for long periods of time to not draw the attention of predators. We can also share methods of reuniting babies with their parents that you can try before declaring them orphans.
Do not believe what you read on the internet... or the advice you get from those not experienced in wildlife care. There is a lot of bad advice out there that will result in dead babies.
Do not try to raise babies by yourself. Not only is
it against the law, but they require specialized care and diets to allow them to grow up healthy. We are very grateful to be a part of a community that cares for wildlife and we are here to help when we are needed. In the past year, we have seen twice the amount of wildlife; we would appreciate your help by keeping healthy babies with their parents.
For more information and tips, please visit our Four Lakes Wildlife Center program page at giveshelter.org or give us a call.
Importance of Planning for Pets by Daniel B. Purtell Attorney, Wilson Law Group, LLC.
The 68 million dogs and 73 million cats living in our homes offer us love, affection, and companionship. You can return this love and affection by securing their future, if something happens to you. This is why many pet owners include pets in their estate planning.
What options do I have? Gift: You can gift a person money to take care of your pet, but there are no guarantees it will be used for that purpose. Will: The major disadvantage of using a will is that if your pet needs immediate care, the executor has no authority to act until appointed by a judge. This can take several days or even weeks. Trust: The best solution is to include a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pet Trustâ&#x20AC;? in your revocable living trust. You appoint a Trustee to supervise the caregiver of your pets and manage your money. Your Trustee avoids delays, report accountings and costs demanded by the probate court.
Dane County Humane Society 5132 Voges Road Madison, WI 53718